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Nepal Family Adventure Tour

Join us in Nepal, a fascinating destination for a family adventure. We get to know some of the friendliest and kindest people anywhere, visit bazaars and mountain temples. When Teahouse trekking in the Annapurna, we experience outstanding views of some of the world's highest peaks. In the jungle of Chitwan National Park we ride elephants and look out for one-horned rhinos. We also enjoy the thrill of whitewater rafting.

Tour Highlights

Kathmandu - Exploring the temples of Kathmandu and counting the monkeys

Chitwan National Park - Getting soaked by the elephants as we wash them in Chitwan

Annapurna Trek - Get away from it all whilst trekking, sleeping in teahouses along the way and having pancakes for breakfast!

Dinner time - Being allowed to eat a curry with our fingers - true Nepalese style

Rafting - Screaming in laughter as you travel through the rapids whilst whitewater rafting

Itinerary

1

Join tour Kathmandu

Our tour begins this afternoon in Kathmandu.

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool Available

Included Meals:
None

2

Morning tour of Old Kathmandu. Afternoon excursion to Swayambunath

We start the day with a walking tour, visiting the bazaar and temples of old Kathmandu in the company of a local Nepali guide. Nepal's bustling capital is a captivating mix of spice sellers and rickshaws, all crowded together amidst a city of vibrant noise and colour. Our sightseeing this morning takes in Durbar Square, with its collection of ornate palaces, courtyards and temples that span some three centuries of dynasty rule by the Malla, Shah and Rana kings. We'll see the Great Bell, the magnificent Taleju Temple and the Kasthamandap, the oldest building in Kathmandu. We will also visit the demon of Yitum Bahal and also the living goddess- Kumari who is regarded with respect and lives in Kumari Bihar situated at Basantapur. We take in the sights, sound and smells of Kathmandu's fascinating bazaars, before returning to the hotel by rickshaw. After lunch we plan to visit Swayambunath, the Monkey Temple with its 365 steps to the top of a hill which offers great views across the city which gets it's name from the many monkeys that have made the site their home.

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

3

Morning free in Kathmandu. Afternoon drive to Kurintar

This morning is free to enjoy a little more of Kathmandu, before an afternoon drive west along the Kathmandu-Pokhara highway brings us to Kurintar, on the banks of the Trisuli River.

Overnight: Standard Hotel

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Dinner

4

Morning visit to Manakamana Temple with optional rafting on the Trisuli River

This morning we visit the nearby Manakamana Temple, which occupies a ridge overlooking the Trisuli and Marshyandi River valleys. Locals believe the goddess Manakamana fulfils the wishes of her followers. Access to the top of the ridge is courtesy of Nepal's only cable car, imported from Austria and inaugurated in 1998. Many of the pilgrims still make the arduous trip to the summit by foot, but the express route will get you there in just 10 minutes. After lunch we have the option of enjoying some whitewater rafting on the Trisuli River where we will enjoy an exhilarating trip through exciting rapids, scenic valleys and impressive gorges (Maximum grade 3 rapids). This is a fantastic way to take in the rich diversity of natural and cultural highlights along the valley. No previous experience is required and all training and safety equipment will be provided.

Overnight: Standard Hotel

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

5

Drive to Kande, then trek to Australian Camp (2000m)

Driving to Kande this morning, a short drive of around an hour, we begin our trek up to Australian Camp, a two hour climb that takes us through a landscape of terraced fields and forests and affords some stunning views out across the Central Himalayas. Before us lie the snow-capped peaks of the Annapurna ranges, including Manaslu and Machhapuchare - the famous Fishtail Mountain.

Walking time: approx 2 hours/280m ascent

Overnight: Simple Teahouse

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

6

Trek to Landruk (1565m) within the Annapurna Conservation Area

Today's trek involves a relatively easy hike along the ridge-line from Dhampus to the Gurung village of Landruk, crossing a landscape of open meadows and small villages. Climbing through a pass at 2150m, the views of the Annapurna are absolutely breathtaking and from here we then begin the descent down into a lush forest alive with birds, orchids and ferns. Following a small canyon leading off from the Modi Khola, we then take a meandering trail through tiny hamlets to our final destination for the day. Landruk lies along the trekking route to Annapurna Base Camp and is famed for its honey hunting festival, where intrepid harvesters climb bamboo ladders and dangle precariously from ropes to gather the honeycomb from the sheer cliff faces. Surrounded by some of the most stunning scenery of the entire journey, the village lies within the Annapurna Conservation Area and provides us with one of the visual highlights of the trek.

Walking time: approx 5 hours/240m ascent and 675m descent.

Overnight: Simple Teahouse

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

7

Trek from Landruk to Ghandruk (1940m)

Following a steep trail out of the village, through a patchwork of terraced fields that take us towards the Modi River, we cross over a suspension bridge and continue up towards Ghandruk. The second largest village in the area populated by the Gurung people, Ghandruk, is a wonderfully confusing cluster of closely spaced, slate-roofed houses nestling between terraced fields of wheat and barley. A network of narrow alleyways, the village is a delight to explore and certainly one of the most beautiful in the Himalaya. A large handicraft factory provides an interesting venue to search for some traditional souvenirs at the top of the village.

Walking time: approx 3.5 hours/620m ascent and 245m descent.

Overnight: Simple Teahouse

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

8

Trek from Ghandruk to Nayapul. Drive to Pokhara (1070m)

Leaving Ghandruk behind we descend through villages and terraces to the Syauli Bazaar, a two hour trek that offers a dazzling backdrop of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare. From here we then continue to follow the Modi River towards Nayapul, where we rejoin our vehicle for the hour and a half drive on to Pokhara, which is located on the banks of Phewa Tal Lake and is Nepal's second largest town. Pokhara is a more relaxing experience than the busy streets of Kathmandu and its beautiful lakeside setting, beneath the imposing shadow of the stunning snow capped range of the Annapurna, makes it the perfect ending for our trek.

Walking time: approx 4.5 hours/20m ascent and 890m descent.

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch

9

Free in Pokhara with options to hire a bike or take a boat ride

Today has been left free for you to continue exploring this delightful setting as you wish. Once part of the bustling trade routes between India and Tibet, Pokhara has always been a centre of trade and even today mule trains can be seen around the outskirts of the village, bringing in goods to the local Guring and Magar farmers. You could spend part of this afternoon doing some trading of your own, enjoying a walk amongst the markets in search of souvenirs.

Other options inclusing hiring bicycles for rides into the surrounding countryside or taking a boat out onto the lake. For those interested in carpet weaving, we could visit the Tibetan Refugee Camp and try out some of the weaving techniques plus visit the International Mountain Museum to see the expedition memorabilla, information about various ethnic groups, geology, flora and fauna.

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

10

Drive to Royal Chitwan National Park

We drive to Chitwan, where our lodge is situated near the village of Jagatpur, just over the Rapti river from the Natinal Park. Over the next two days our time here will be spent undertaking a range of diverse activities, including jungle walks, bird spotting excursions, canoe trips along the Rapti River (seasonal) and elephant safaris.

Overnight: Standard Lodge

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Dinner

11

See tiger, rhino and elephant in Chitwan National Park

Lying at the foot of the Himalayas, amidst subtropical lowlands, Chitwan is home to a staggering array of flora and fauna, which includes 450 different species of birds as well as tiger, rhino and Gangetic dolphins. During our stay we will enjoy exploring the jungles and river banks with local guides, both on foot and (river conditions allowing) in dug out canoes. On the way, we could also see Tharu villages to experience the way that they live. We'll also take elephant back safaris in search of the rare one-horned rhino, possibly even getting an opportunity to join the elephants for their daily bath (early autumn and late spring trips only). Royal Chitwan National Park is Nepal's oldest reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once the exclusive hunting reserve for the Rana ministers. It was turned into a rhino sanctuary in 1963 and its rich alluvial flood plains and Sal forests dominated by a single plant species, commonly known as Sal tree, are home to a rich array of wildlife, including striped hyena, python, monitor lizards, sloth bear, leopard and mugger crocodiles. There will be plenty of opportunities to relax around the lodge and in the evenings we can enjoy informative slideshows about the park and its wildlife.

Overnight: Standard Lodge

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

12

Return to Kathmandu for our last night

After a final jungle activity this morning we make the journey back to the capital. The drive back to Kathmandu should take around 5-6 hours. On arrival back in the city we will check into our hotel for our final evening in Nepal.

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

13

Tour Ends Kathmandu

Tour notes

Each departure date has it's own dedicated tour note, detailing all you need to know about that tour. Whether you've already booked, or weighing up your options, please choose carefully the relevant itinerary for you.

We have the following different versions of the Family Himalayan Discovery tour available at present.

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Why Book this tour

This adventure is for families wanting to include some easy to moderate walking in one of the best places in the world to trek. The holiday also includes experiencing the culture and history of Nepal including staying in tee-houses along the walking route, as well as game viewing in one of the best national parks in the region and the opportunity to try out white water rafting on the Trisuli River. A great and varied adventure in stunning locations.